From August 21 to 25, young compatriots from 17 countries visited St. Petersburg under the program “Hello, Russia!”.
Acquaintance with the northern capital began with a visit to the Nicholas Palace, which was remembered by young visitors for its luxurious interior and majestic architecture. Then the students went on an excursion to the Alexandrinsky Theatre, where they were introduced to the rich theatrical heritage of Russia. Compatriots learned a lot about the famous premieres staged here and talented actors in troupes of different years. In the evening, the guys strolled along Nevsky Prospekt – the main street of the city.
One of the most famous places in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, which was visited by young travelers, was Peterhof Palace. Experienced guides introduced the children to the historical palaces of the time of Peter the Great and iconic objects. An important event was a visit to the ITMO National Research University, where they were given a unique opportunity to try a real scientific and technical life. They learned about the latest achievements in the field of information technology and interactive media. In the evenings, the delegations introduced each other to the traditions and culture of their native states.
During the trip, the children saw the Catherine Palace and learned more about the history of the imperial residence. Then the students went to the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, where they immersed themselves in the atmosphere of Pushkin’s time and visited the educational institution where the great poet studied. And in the Peter and Paul Fortress, young compatriots became participants in an interactive quest based on the events of the historical past. One of the most significant events of the trip was a visit to the ceremony of drawbridges — one of the symbols of St. Petersburg.
The participants also visited the Russian Geographical Society, where the guests learned about the importance of scientific research for the development of the country. The trip ended with a visit to Saint Isaac’s Cathedral, Palace Square, the Hermitage and St. Petersburg State University, where students got acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of Russia and learned a lot about modern scientific life.
“I’ve always heard that St. Petersburg is the most beautiful city in Russia, and it met my expectations. I want to come back here to study. I am very glad that I participated in such a project, to get acquainted with Russian history and culture. I made a lot of friends from different countries. We had a great time together”, Lana Abd Ali from Lebanon told about her participation.
The trip was supported by the Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg.